Hcp on mat leave- feeling guilty!!

[Goldengirlllll]

I’m a hcp on mat leave with a 6 month old and 3 year old. Toddler been hospitalised with chest multiple times baby EBF. Feel very guilty for not being and work in these unprecedented times but can’t face bringing it home to be my toddler (know children aren’t really effected but every cold he gets puts us in and out of hospital for a week£ plus not ready to stop breastfeeding the baby (going back would realistically mean this). Plus I have no childcare as i normally rely on my parents though they are not technically in at risk groups. m
Anyone else in similar position? Am volunteering locally to try and help and doing my best to spread appropriate messages etc. I feel there will be work when I go back in 6 months but still feel terrible.

I’m not an HCP but I’m a teacher and I’m feeling similarly guilty. Only went off at the start of Feb so I’m really feeling for the pupils I taught most of the year who now won’t be sitting exams! And my poor cover teacher who will now need to provide evidence for these pupils. I’d try to do more but I’m only 4 weeks after a c-section so can’t even drive yet to do a KIT day or something.

Same dilemma. Would be frontline ITU. Would have to live separate from baby for a bit and still BF at moment (5.5months) so need to switch to full formula (and can’t easily get hold of that). Am I just being selfish?

It’s so hard isn’t it? If I wasn’t off I’d obviously be working no questions asked. But how can you as a mother put your guilt and others above your child? I already feel like as a second born the baby gets a far rougher deal than my toddler did! I don’t know how I would function at work all day without him haven’t left him for more than 2 hours yet! Plus not getting anywhere close to a decent nights sleep which would certainly effect my decision making...... yet I know my colleagues also have families that they love that they need to protect, probably aren’t getting the right rest and don’t have the luxury of agonising over this!
I really don’t know what else to say but it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one

Also working 4 weeks in after auch major surgery would be crazy!! You def can’t feel guilty about that!! It’s selfless of you to even think of anyone else this early on!!

Of course you aren't being selfish - you did not plan to be off during a pandemic it's just happened that way.

The care of your baby is essential and also whilst still breastfeeding you are building up baby's immune system to give them the best fighting chance against a virus if they were to catch it.

It's commendable that you feel this way but your baby needs you too and you shouldn't feel guilty about that.